I Can't Believe I Was Given this Opportunity! 🤯

My Unforgettable Experience Guest Hosting the Lean Out Podcast

My mom used to send me off to school with a piece of advice that has stayed with me to this day: "Ask a better question."

Little did I know, this wisdom would eventually shape my career and fuel my passion for interviewing incredible people.

That passion was recently on displaywhen I had the honor of guest hosting the Lean Out Podcast, a show expertly helmed by Tara Henley.

This wasn't just any interview; it was a journalistic deep dive into a contentious political issue, one that required tact, knowledge, and insight. And let me tell you—Tara is the epitome of a professional. From her, I gained invaluable experience and grew both as an interviewer and an individual.

The topic? A complex and current affair that gave me the chance to really flex my legal muscles. The conversation revolved around a lawsuit filed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression against California Community Colleges state and district officials.

'We're against the state mandating viewpoints'

The suit challenges recent regulations on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In this in-depth dialogue, I got to discuss the intricacies of the case with Daniel Ortner, dissecting the multi-faceted aspects of DEI regulations.

This was no ordinary interview. It was an opportunity to combine my love for asking insightful questions with my legal background. I got to probe, challenge, and clarify, turning the conversation into a rich tapestry of perspectives on a topic of critical importance.

My mom was right: asking better questions opens doors to worlds you never knew existed. And this unforgettable experience on the Lean Out Podcast is a testament to that. It reaffirmed my belief that the right questions don't just elicit answers; they inspire conversations that can change the world.

Photo of Aaron Pete by Amanda Reed.